Red Star Special

Welcome aboard the Red Star Special, where classic European cities meet stunning natural landscapes. From Berlin to Copenhagen, the Arctic Circle (aka the Land of the Midnight Sun) to Moscow and St Petersburg to the Baltics, this trip ticks off loads of the hotspots. A once-in-a-lifetime trip that will give you bragging rights for years, this is the one to beat. Are you ready for this?

Bucket List Inclusions

Driving tour of Berlin

Walking tour of Riga

Walking tour of Tallinn

Walking tour of Oslo

Driving tour of Copenhagen

Drive the famous Troll's Path Crossing

Walking tour of Vilnius

Driving tour of Warsaw

Driving tour of Helsinki

Walking tour of Stockholm

Visit The State Hermitage Museum

Cruise the majestic Geirangerfjord

Visit the Arctic Circle

Driving tour of Moscow

Walking tour of Novgorod with a local guide

Guided tour of the Moscow Kremlin

Visit the the Hill of Crosses

Visit Trondheim and the town of Hell

Visit Lenin’s tomb

Do a 'polar plunge' in an Arctic river

Visit Santa's Village

Guided tour of Moscow’s Metro

Driving tour of St Petersburg with a local guide

Visit the Ringebu Stave Church

More Inclusions

36 breakfasts, 16 lunches, 22 dinners

16 nights in hostels, 13 nights in hotels, 7 nights in bungalows at European campsites

All ferry crossings

Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi

Guided tours of all major cities

Awesome Trip Leader, Driver and Topdeck Chef

Group Size

Maximum 46

Transport

Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi, including powerpoints for charging electronics

Start/Finish Times

Start time:Meet at 5pm in Berlin

Finish time:Approximately 9am in Berlin

Gostou? Fale com a CI

With more museums than rainy days and some of the best DJs on the continent, the only thing you'll miss out on in Berlin is sleep – but there's plenty of time for that later. Drop your bags and get the trip admin sorted at the hostel before getting to know your new trip pals over dinner.

We'll drive you around to see (what's left of) the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building. Afterwards, why not step out on an optional Third Reich walking tour for a local insight into what the city was like under Nazi rule during World War II? Tonight: explore the city after dark on an optional alternative street art and nightlife tour.

On to Copenhagen to find out why this city keeps popping up among the top five most liveable cities in the world. Get your bearings on a guided driving tour and discover why Copenhagen is home to half of the nation's population.

Today you have the chance to explore the city in true local fashion: on a bike. Romantic streak? Check out The Little Mermaid, a tribute to the fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen's pre-Disney masterpiece. Spoiler alert: the original version has the lovestruck mermaid become foam on the sea after she fails to win the prince's affections. Even back then, it seems, #thestrugglewasreal.

You know it for the IKEA hotdogs and meatballs (plus ridiculously good-looking people), but Sweden’s capital also punches way above its weight in design, fashion and some multicultural vibes you wouldn’t expect this close to the Arctic Circle.

Today we've cleared your schedule, so you can wander the city to your heart's content. Take an optional guided tour of Stockholm City Hall (the famous Nobel Prize banquet venue), or spend the day strolling through one of Stockholm’s many museums. Wanna take in some views? Then gaze at the greenery of Djurgården or let a hop-on-hop-off boat transport you around the city’s 14 islands.

The day is yours to do as you please. Need some suggestions? Well, you could always pay an optional visit to the Vasa Museum or watch the changing of the guards at the Royal Palace and drink copious amounts of quality coffee. Note: Swedes treat caffeine the way they do their style: very seriously.

From the cosmopolitan city vibes of Stockholm to a more laid-back experience in Oslo. Check out endless stretches of Christmas trees and pretty lakes as you settle in for a day of nature-filled sights on the way to Norway’s capital. By the afternoon, you’ll be all gawped out and more than ready for dinner in the land of the midnight sun.

There’s just enough time to wake up and take a stroll through Gustav Vigeland's bizarre and eccentric sculpture park this morning. Then: an optional visit to the Viking Ship Museum, Kon-Tiki Museum and Fram Polar Ship. Take the rest of the day off to soak up Oslo’s funky 60s vibe.

On to Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Do an optional run down the bobsled track before we move on to Åndalsnes for a full day on the Geiranger Fjord. To call the scenery epic would be an understatement (check out Google Images for proof). Also today: a visit to the distinctive Ringebu Stave Church.

Grab yourself a window seat as we wind our way around some of Europe’s most scenic roads en route to the famous Trolls’ Path Crossing. Sit back and drink in the sheer scale of the breathtaking fjords – long recognised as some of the world’s greatest natural attractions. Later, we’ll get up close and personal with the impossibly beautiful Geirangerfjord on a sightseeing cruise. One word: wow.

Included today:
-Drive the famous Trolls’ Path Crossing
-Cruise the majestic Geirangerfjord

Today we chase the sun to Trondheim, the religious capital of Norway. Repent your sins – the next stop is Hell. Yes, really (only this one is usually frozen over). Temperatures can dip down as low as -25°C. After snapping up some photographic proof of our visit, we're off to Steinkjer for the night.

On to Tysfjord for the night to experience the narrowest point in Norway. Look forward to the chance to check out Svartisen, Norway’s second largest glacier. Covering a full 370 square kilometres and at just 20 m above sea level, it’s the lowest glacier in mainland Europe – making it easily accessible for hikes and nature-based experiences. Top tip: wear your comfy shoes.

Onwards and upwards, we're heading north for the last time to witness the height of the midnight sun (so named as it doesn’t set between May and June). If you’re lucky with the weather, you can expect to see nature at its absolute best.

Cross back over the Arctic Circle and practise your best ‘Jingle Bells’ as we make our way to Rovaniemi for a trip to Santa’s Village. Excitement level: 100/10. Keep your eyes peeled for Santa’s reindeer from your window seat.

It’s all about whatever tickles your fancy today. See the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral or check out the KGB museum for a history lesson on the antics of the Soviet Union’s former security agency. Pro tip: Old Town is where you'll get the best kind of Estonian #throwback vibes.

Today: a St Petersburg driving tour with a super knowledgeable local guide. Learn all the juicy insider info as you check out oh-so-many bucket list items. Anything called the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood has got to be worth a look (and it really is). You won't be bored in St Petersburg, for sure.

Dig into breakfast, then we’re off on a guided tour of the Hermitage Museum. This place spans six palatial buildings, including the epic Winter Palace. Ah-maze! You won’t want to miss this. Next: (window) shopping your way down Nevsky Prospect, the capital's main street.

Roll into Moscow today, where the city is alive in rain, hail or shine. Believe it or not, Moscow sparkles – so be prepared for an incredible few days ahead. As you move through the city, spot the tangible reminders of Russia’s involvement in modern history.

Swing by the greats on today's driving tour, including Moscow University, Red Square and St Basil's Cathedral (aka the capital's technicolor sandcastle). Explore the Kremlin with our local guide before setting off to roam the streets. Tonight: get fancy with an optional evening at the Russian ballet. Clink that champagne and get those binoculars at the ready.

Included today:
-Driving tour of Moscow with a local guide
-Guided tour of the Kremlin

Down we go for a guided tour of the not-so-mundane Moscow Metro. If you’re picturing the Piccadilly or Central Line in London, think again. Not even close! We’re talking chandelier-lined stations, each one more decadent than the last. Next: visit Lenin's tomb. Keep the history lesson going with an optional guided tour of the Kremlin Armoury.

Cross the border into Latvia. Riga's up next – another World Heritage star in an already studded Baltic lineup. Late medieval sights and lots of art nouveau await on today's guided walking tour. Key highlights: Power Tower, the Freedom Monument and Riga Cathedral. Oh, and the impressive House of Blackheads building – but more on that later.

You’ve got a free day today, so take the chance to explore Riga’s wooden buildings and medieval Old Town. Set on the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the River Daugava, Riga offers a wide range of water activities, from canal boat tours to swimming at the beach. Tonight, hit up the town’s cellar bars.

Today we set our sights on the capital of Lithuania. Vilnius is home to Europe's largest baroque Old Town and the world's only statue of Frank Zappa (we know – the connection escapes us, too). Today’s walking tour covers the Town Hall, Gediminas Tower and Vilnius Cathedral. As you make your way around, keep an eye out for the Gate of Dawn and St Anne's Church. Tonight: let your feet carry you to a local spot for dinner.

On today’s driving tour, you’ll find that modern day Warsaw is a far cry from its war-torn past. Home of Frederic Chopin and Maria Sklodowska-Curie, the city has loads on offer when it comes to history and culture. Its nightlife doesn’t disappoint either.

Today, Warsaw is all yours. From the Warsaw Rising Museum to the Neon Museum housing Poland’s collection of Cold War era neon signs, this city is sure to keep you busy. Why not stroll along the newly-refurbished river bank or get some great views of the city from the top of the Palace of Science and Culture? Don’t leave the city tomorrow without trying some of Poland’s best food including those stuffed parcels of deliciousness called pierogi. Cottage cheese and onion pierogi may sound unusual, but trust us, they don’t have our seal of approval for nothing.

Hostel Plus trips host our most eclectic types of accommodation. While modern hostels make up the majority of your overnighters you could also stay in hotels (free upgrade – yeah!), Austrian Gasthofs, canvas cabins, ferry cabins or bungalows.

The ‘More Inclusions’ section details what type of accommodation will be used for overnight stops on your trip.

The number of people to a room on Hostel Plus trips will vary. For hostels you will have multi-share rooms and usually share with between 3 and 5 others (although in some circumstances you will share with more than 5) while in hotels there will be twin or triple-shares (and the odd quad-room). The number of people sharing in bungalows, canvas cabins, ferry cabins and Austrian Gasthofs can vary.

Please note: When staying on a Hostel Plus trip, multi-share accommodation is single-sex.

Accompanying you on this trip (as far as Tallinn) will be a trained Topdeck Chef who is responsible for providing any included meals. The coach will be equipped with all the utensils required for the Chef to cook dishes fresh at every destination, whether breakfast, lunch or a two-course dinner. Occasionally, some of the included meals may be in local restaurants or accommodations.

Your Topdeck crew never expect tips themselves and will not ask for any; that’s not what friends do! We also know how much tipping can cost you. So go ahead, spoil yourself with the money you will save by travelling with Topdeck (just don’t forget Mum’s souvenir).

Our travel app has landed! With a range of awesome features including a Currency Converter, Budget Tracker, Check-In tool and Social Timeline you can plan your trip like a pro. Think of it like your very own Topdeck Trip Leader, always on call with the latest info, weather, maps and city guides to give you the trip of a lifetime, all in the palm of your hand.

Please note: The Topdeck Travel App should only be downloaded once you have booked onto your trip. You will not be able to log in unless you have a Topdeck Booking Reference Number.

One of the best parts of travelling is experiencing the nightlife and entertainment each city has to offer. However, amidst the fun and excitement, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and personal safety as well. Before you hit the road with us, it’s important to be aware of the following:

When you’re on a night out, remember to avoid walking alone, particularly through deserted areas like beaches and back streets. Always stick together, take a taxi where possible, and keep a note of your accommodation details so you can find your way back to your fellow Topdeckers if you become separated.

In some countries, alcoholic measures can be considerably larger than what you may be used to. Try to keep track of what you’re drinking, and if you see one of your trip mates looking a little worse for wear, take them back to your accommodation. Be cautious when accepting drinks from strangers and never leave your drink unattended.

It’s also important to be aware that what you might consider harmless flirting may be interpreted differently in some countries. Be yourself and have fun, but don’t be naïve, and be mindful of the signals you are sending out so that you don’t find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.